Sunday 14 July 2013

6. Abandoned?

*Okay I hate this post but I had originally planned to update Set Me Free and Sweet Dreams next because that's what most of you asked for but I have literally hit brick walls with both of them. So instead I'm posting this completed post first and then I'll go back to SMF and SD :) I hope this is okay! It's more like a little filler than an actual chapter.....Kind of lol But it's just to hold you over until I post on the other fics :)*


"Have you read this, Dave?"

"Read what?" He didn't look up from his own book as she scrolled down the page on her laptop. She looked engrossed to say the least. They were sat comfortably in bed, having heard the shower go on and off they figured Nicki and Drake had turned in for the night too.

"All this stuff about Vampires?"

"I can't say I have, no." He smirked at her newfound interest in these creatures when once upon a time to even mention the "V" word in her presence was forbidden.

"It says on this website that they mate for life."

"Unlucky bastards." He chuckled and shook his head, only ceasing movement when he felt her eyes burrowing into him. "I mean, that's great. It's loyal. We should all be like that."

"Whatever, I think it's sweet."

"It's kinda naive too. I always thought Vampires were overly sexual."

"In movies they are." She faced him again. "Nicki said most of the stuff we believe about them is just pure fiction."

"Sounds about right." He removed his glasses and closed his book. 

"And they go away to give birth." She carried on scrolling and reading, completely fascinated by these facts.

"Go away? Go away to where?"

"I don't know, it doesn't say." She frowned. "It just says that they leave to birth their young and then return home."

"That mean they gonna leave here? 'Cause technically this ain't their home so they're already away."

"I have no idea." She shook her head in bewilderment.

"What it say 'bout drinkin' blood?" He spoke like an excited child as he lay down on his side.

"Dave, I'm not readin' anythin' that's gonna freak me out."

"Go on, they ain't done anythin' scary to us yet. Just have a quick look." Their eyes remained connected as she thought. He was right, they'd shown no signs of threatening behaviour so far.

"Just one fact and then you can sleep whilst I finish up what eye was reading." She huffed and scrolled keeping her eyes peeled for the word blood.

"Read it out to me." He noticed her stop as she began reading.

"Well, some of the movie stuff is on point."

"Whattya mean?"

"A lot of it is connected to their eye colour." She folded her lips. "The darker the iris, the safer we are I guess."

"Nicki's eyes are ice blue."

She pulled a face. "Y'know what colour underwear she's wearin' too?"

"Oh, c'mon Kristin, anyone can see how blue they are." He dismissed her accusation. "I know you're not tellin' me you ain't noticed his eyes. I seen the way you were eyein' him up the other day."

"I was doin' no such thing. I'm a happily married woman." She smiled and continued to read.

"And I'm a happily married man, now tell me what else it says on there?"

"Their lip colour is an indicator of hunger too." She bit the corner of her own lip. "Again, the darker the shade the safer we'll be."

"How often do they have to drink it? I ain't seen them touch a drop since they been here."

"Well, they have the vaccinations remember?"

"Yeah but how behind are they on them? They haven't been out in public for God knows how many months." His face was more worried now as she began to think too.

"Oh my God, you're right. Maybe I could swipe some from work tomorrow and administer them here?"

"I'm not objectin' to that. I'd like to keep all my blood, thank you."

"I'll sort it out tomorrow." Taking a mental note she kept on sifting through the facts. There was one in particular that stopped her. 

"What is it?" Picking up on her worried expression he waited patiently for her to start speaking.

"I don't know if it's anythin' to worry about but it says here that they're more dangerous when carrying."

"Just the females you mean?"

"No." She looked down at him. "Partners too. They're very protective."

"But Nicki can't even walk up the stairs without help, how is she gon' attack us or whatever?"

"If she wasn't so weak I think it'd be different." She sighed and looked at him once again. His face looked remorseful. 

"She's not doin' good is she?"

"No." She sighed heavily "And it's the worst possible time for her to be carrying too. Her last few weeks of the pregnancy are in the height of winter and she'll be deliverin' in the peak too."

"Whattya think's gon' happen then?"

"Honestly? I don't know, but all we can do is continue to aid them as best we can."

"But they mate for life. If he loses her-"

"Please, don't." She shook her head miserably. "I don't wanna think about-"

"Shh!"

"Excuse m-"

"Shhh!" He held his hand up. "Did you hear that?" His face was dead serious as she realised why he was shushing her.

"What was it?" Inching closer to him she kept her eyes fixed on the bedroom door. The noise no longer audible to her ears.

"Sounded like the front door."

"You locked it, didn't you?"

"No, we told them to lock up remember?" He glanced at her worriedly. "You stay here, I'mma go take a look."

"Check on Jackson whilst you're out there." Her whisper only just reached him as he pulled their door open and cautiously made his way down the stairs. There was nothing to be seen once he got to the bottom. Everything was still in place and the door was shut. It wasn't locked though. Angrily huffing to himself he locked it and turned to head back up the stairs after double checking the other doors. The basement door was open a tad and he was half tempted to check they were both there but he changed his mind last minute and moved back up to Jackson's room. He was still sound asleep.

"Was there anythin' down there?" She voiced her concern as he returned to their room.

"Nothin'. Door wasn't locked though."

"Well at least it is now."

"Yeah." He sighed deeply and settled back under the covers. He just hoped all was well downstairs.


***


The sunlight hitting her face was what woke her the next morning. Reaching her arm behind her she tried to grab at him but he was further away from her than she thought.

"Aubrey?" She smiled but her sweet expression soon faded when she turned to see the empty space behind her. He was gone again. "He's gotta stop disappearin' like that." She deepened her left dimple, sitting up slowly to rest against the headboard as she looked down affectionately at her bump. It was so big now. Smoothing her hands over it, she stopped when they were resting just underneath. Cradling her rounded belly. There was a hint of nervousness about becoming a Mother but at the same time she was beyond excited. That happiness and excitement soon faded when she remembered their circumstances. She felt like a prisoner and if things didn't change she could end up exactly that.

Having sat and thought for a while as she spoke to her unborn baby she decided it was time to head upstairs. She felt like she was getting stronger but she didn't know if it was just in her mind or not. One thing was for certain, she could climb the few basement stairs alone and that in itself was an achievement. Smiling to herself she swept her blonde locks to one side and entered the hallway. Everyone was sat in the lounge-room. Everyone except who she was looking for.

"Oh, you're awake early today." Kristin smiled. "Did you want some breakfast?"

"Yeah. I am." She laughed lightly. "I'm good thanks. Y'know where Drake is?" Her curious face soon drooped when she saw the married couple look to one another with confusion.

"We haven't seen him all mornin'. We just assumed he was downstairs with you."

"You mean he's not up here either?"

"No." She paused momentarily. "Unless we've missed him and he's in the bathroom?" Kristin shrugged.

"I'll go have a look."

"No, I'll go."Harlan stood up and set the paper down. "Those stairs are a piece of work." He rubbed her arm softly as she sat down, the panic already starting to consume her.

"I'm sure he's around, Nicki." The reassuring words didn't ease her mind and the fear only became stronger when Harlan returned with a wrinkled face.

"He ain't up there." He looked at Kristin. "But I gotta head off now, call me when you find him." He kissed Kristin and scruffled up Jackson's hair before giving Nicki a comforting wink. He was a charmer, she had to admit, but her mind was still racing with horrible thoughts.

"He didn't tell you he was going out or anythin'?" Kris questioned, making Nicki look up.

"No, I just woke up and he wasn't there. I figured he'd be up here with you guys."

"What time did you nod off?"

"Maybe around 1am, why?" She sat back into the couch slowly. Her heart felt like it was beating hard and fast.

"Well, we heard a noise around about that time. It sounded like the front door." Her brows furrowed. "Did you lock up last night?"

"Yeah, just before we showered." She answered quietly whilst massaging her bump.

"Dave came down to check out the noise and he said the door wasn't locked."

"Why would he leave without saying anything?"

"Maybe he just had to go pick some things up?" She tried to lift her spirits but she still looked distressed.

"No. He would have told me." Exhaling loudly she ran her hand through her hair. "He wouldn't just leave without telling me. I know he wouldn't."

There was an uncomfortable silence as Kristin ran through a number of different things she could say to comfort her but she came up with nothing. That's when something caught her eye.

"What's that?" Standing up she moved over to the side table in the hallway. There was a note and it was indeed from Drake. Reading it slowly she headed back towards a fretting Nicki and handed to her.

She read it aloud in her mind. "I have some things to sort out, I'll explain when I get back. Wednesday at the latest." It was signed with a kiss and the letter "A".

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Kristin sat back in her chair, intrigued about his disappearance.

"I don't even have a clue." She could feel the tears building up fast.

"Couldn't you have read his thoughts or something?"

"No." She shook her head. "He's good at hiding certain things from me."

Kristin was quiet for a minute before speaking again. "But you have faith in him though, don't you?"

"Of course I do." She sounded offended that anyone would ever question that.

"Well, if he says he'll be back by Wednesday, then he'll be back by Wednesday."

"You really think so?"

"If that's what he said." She half-smiled "Do you trust him?"

"I trust him with all my heart but anythin' could happen to him out there."

"Just think positive, I know it's easier said than done but it's all you can do for now." She smiled and stood up before heading back into the kitchen. She felt like she had to make a hasty exit before she got all emotional. Just seeing how worried and distraught Nicki looked was tearing her up inside. She couldn't even imagine what she was feeling or thinking right now. She and Drake had been together 24/7 for the last few months. Never leaving each other's side and now he'd disappeared without saying a word to anyone. Shaking the thoughts from her head she managed to halt the tears, she was going to try her absolute best to keep Nicki's mind distracted until Wednesday. Thankfully she was on a night shift and had the whole day to keep her occupied.

That idea was foiled when she received a bundle of emails with files attached that needed sorting, she was fairly agitated but it needed doing. Luckily Jackson was in the same room as Nicki, hopefully keeping her company. At first she was scared to leave him alone in the same room as them but he'd taken a strong an unfathomable liking to Nicki. It was borderline obsessive.

"Jackson?" She carried on typing before stopping altogether. She kept hearing noises on the stairs and was re-living memories of him kindly colouring their wallpaper with crayons on the stairway last Christmas. "Jackson, what are you doing?" 

Not receiving a response she walked through to the hallway and stopped dead in her tracks as she rested a hand on her hip. He looked guilty already.

"What are you doin' bringin' all this downstairs? It belongs in your room on your bed." She huffed and bent down to pick up his bed covers but stopped when he snatched it from her.

"No, Mommy."

"Excuse me?" Giving him a stern look she went to take the fabric again but he held it close to himself and took off into the lounge room. She was losing her patience quickly. With all the work she needed to be doing she had no time to be chasing around after her five year old like this. 

Pursuing him into the lounge room she was halted in her path once again, but this time for a different reason. Nicki was laying fast asleep on the couch, surrounded and cushioned by pillows and blankets all of which she assumed Jackson had put there. He was just adding the final touch. His Thomas the Tank Engine bed sheet.

"Jackson, baby, what are you doing? She lowered her voice so as not to wake Nicki. "I thought we told you not to bother her when she's sleeping? She's not well and she needs lots of rest."

"Mommy, she's too cold." He whispered as best he could and started tucking the sheets into the couch. He'd obviously paid close attention to how he was tucked in at night.

"Let me see." She frowned and looked down at her sleeping body. He was right. She was shivering and her lips were a slight tinge of blue. "Oh my God, Jackson why didn't you tell Mommy sooner?"

"'Cause it's my job to look after her." He pushed his Mother's hands away from Nicki and stood between them both.

"It's your job? Who said it was your job?"

"Drake." He said it as if it was completely obvious.

She tilted her head. "When did he tell you this?"

"Last night."

That would explain the noise they heard. But still, why would Drake have a five year old taking care of his sick partner. It didn't make sense to her.

"Okay, well, you can look after her but I need to check and see if there's anythin' else wrong. Can I do that?"

"No." He shook his head with defiance. "I'm not allowed."

"But you want Nicki to be okay, don't you?" He looked back at her sleeping figure and faced his Mother again as he nodded. "Okay, so let me check her over." She motioned to touch her again but his hand stopped her. "Jackson."

"He said I had to give her this if she got sick." Quickly grabbing one of his cushions he unzipped the case and reached his hand inside. What he pulled out wasn't at all what she was expecting.


***


It took a lot less longer to travel than he remembered. Although fairly close to civilisation, the atmosphere and environment were incredibly polar in every aspect. He never imagined he'd see this place again. He didn't want to see this place again, but he felt he had no choice. If his thoughts were correct and Nicki really was dying, he knew this would be the only place he'd find help.

...

*Hope this little filler was okay! I hate it but when don't I? Lol. I'll try and post tomorrow on SMF or SD :) THANKU for all the previous comments!*